RailDriver

RailDriver (usually written as one word in title case) is a desktop cab controller for train simulation software. It replaces keyboard and mouse operation as far as possible to provide a more realistic train driving experience. It is designed to be compatible with Microsoft Train Simulator and Auran's Trainz, and is compatible with Kuju Rail Simulator.

RailDriver is produced by P.I. Engineering of Williamston, Michigan, United States.

pecifications

The RailDriver unit is 13.5 inches (34 cm) wide, seven inches (18 cm) deep, and four inches (10 cm) high. The control knobs add around 2.5 inches (6 cm) to the height at their apogee. It weighs 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). It is light enough to move around but heavy enough to stay in place while in operation.

Controls

RailDriver includes the basic throttle, direction, and brakes as separate control handles that mimic generic operation of real locomotive controls. Frequently used switches for lights, sand, bell, and whistle are also included, with switches designed to give tactile reassurance whilst the user keeps their eyes on the railroad. For operations such as camera movement the RailDriver has a four-way pan pad with zoom rocker switches, and for driver aids has 34 programmable buttons.

The full list of controls and their default uses is:

*34 Programmable Game Buttons
*Zoom/Rocker Button
*Four Way Panning Control
*LED Speedometer
*Gear Shift
*Emergency Brake
*Alerter
*Sander
*Pantograph
*Bell
*Horn/Whistle Lever (operates forward or back)
*Reverser (center detent, variable forward and reverse)
*Combined Throttle and Dynamic brake (with "gate" center)
*Automatic brake (detent before emergency brake)
*Independent brake (with right motion for bail-off)
*Rotary wiper switch
*Rotary headlight switch

Installation and Sound

RailDriver operates on these operating systems: Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP (32-Bit) And Windows Vista (X86 and 64 Bit). It is not compatible with Macintosh operating systems, though it can be operated on new Macs if running Windows.

There is no driver and support that works with MSTS under Vista. (The system doesn't recognise the correct driver.)

Software is provided on a CD, and must be installed before connecting the unit for the first time. Upon connection the user is required to go through a short and simple calibration routine, which can be repeated at any time.

RailDriver comes with a set of stickers for the controls (and printed labels for the programmable buttons), which the user must place on the unit themselves.

The main RailDriver connection to a PC is via a six foot-long USB cable permanently attached to the unit.

There is also a six-foot speaker cable with an 1/8" stereo jack to plug into the PC's sound card. An 1/8" jack on the back of the unit accepts the jack from your speaker system. For sound purposes the RailDriver sits in series between the PC and sound output hardware. It captures and uses the lowest frequencies passed through to give the unit a realistic "rumble" feel. The RailDriver will operate perfectly well without the sound connection, in which case all sound will be via the PC speakers rather than the unit itself.

Limitations

RailDriver with Microsoft Train Simulator

Microsoft Train Simulator does not come with an Application Programming Interface included. Therefore RailDriver uses alternative methods to communicate with the software. It reads settings directly from the Heads-Up Display on the screen, which therefore must be in view at all times when using the hardware.

Most (though not all) keyboard commands are replicated with the RailDriver so it is occasionally necessary to revert to the keyboard, though this is not usually problematical.

To operate RailDriver with Train Simulator it is necessary to run some software called RD Manager (supplied on the installation CD) to select the type of locomotive (steam, diesel or electric) first, and to start Train Simulator from within RD Manager. RD Manager must be running at all times, otherwise the RailDriver will not work.

In order to operate locomotives not supplied as default with Train Simulator, the relevant locomotive configuration files must be written with information compatible with RailDriver. Most locomotive configuration files are not written as such, in which case they must be amended – either manually or with third-party utilities such as Route Riter. This limits the usefulness of RailDriver to the casual user, as a certain amount of technical knowledge and time is required to undertake the amendments, and this must be done each time a new locomotive is installed.

External links

* [http://www.raildriver.com RailDriver Official web site]
* [http://www.piengineering.com P.I. Engineering] – manufacturer of RailDriver